Gather, organize, and share content that interests you.

Loading...

Gather, organize, and share content that interests you.

Loading...

BY MANKUROANE TECHNICAL & COMMERCIAL HIGH SCHOOL

SOUTH AFRICA

NORTH WEST

FIVE SAFE FINGERS PRESENTATION

What is child sexual abuse?

In its simplest form, child sexual abuse is any sexual encounter that occurs between a child and an older person (as children cannot legally consent to sexual acts). This abuse may involve contact, like touching or penetration. It also includes non-contact cases, like "flashing" or child pornography.

Why are children sexually abused?

While no one wants to think about the sexual abuse of a child, particularly for victims, it is common to ask, "why are children sexually abused?" There is no clear answer to this question. What we do know is that it is not the fault of those who have been sexually abused. While those who have been abused as a child may feel shame and guilt over what happened, the only person who should take responsibility for the abuse is the offender.

SEXUAL ABUSERS - WHO ARE THESE CHILD ABUSERS?

There is no single type of person that is a sexual abuser. Sexual abusers can be men or women of any age or socioeconomic status but are generally known by the child as only 10% of child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by strangers.1

60% of sexual abusers are known by the child, but are not family.

30% of sexual abusers are family members.

Sexual abusers are mostly men, whether the victim is a male or a female

Women are the child abusers in 14% of cases where the victim is male and in 6% of cases where the victim is female.

25% of sexual abusers are adolescents.

WARNING SIGNS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Child sexual abuse is a terrifying idea to contemplate for any parent, but not knowing the child sexual abuse signs can be a big mistake. Missing symptoms of child sexual abuse can mean allowing a child who needs help to go without it and possibly even allowing an abusive relationship to continue. It is a myth that children report sexual abuse directly after it occurs. More often, people ignore, repress and deny child sexual abuse, often until adulthood. It is only through subtle signs of child sexual abuse that many cases of sexual abuse are even uncovered.

Physical signs:

Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area

Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes

Difficulty walking or sitting

Frequent urinary or yeast infections

Pain, itching, or burning in genital area

Behavioural signs:

* Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively

Develops phobias

Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents

Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades

Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviours

Nightmares or bed-wetting

Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role